MHA: Guardian of the Golden Throne

«I told you to stay close to me!»

Melissa fell to the ground, holding her face in pain from Gran Torino's kick, now in front of her, smoking with anger and worry.

«I have no idea what happened, but at least you're still alive.» he exclaimed furiously.

Although Izuku chuckled at the scene in front of him, he also noticed the other people arrived immediately after the elderly hero: it was Shoto and a handful of heroes, who were much more likely sidekicks. Shoto's eyes were filled with worry, just like his expression, which is usually cold and composed. Last, the Flame Hero Endeavor appeared.

You're certainly the last person I wanted to see, Endeavor. thought Izuku with a note of annoyance.

«Shield-san, it took me a while to understand the message. Forgive the lateness.» Shoto said with a breath «But I'm glad to see everything went well.»

«Don't worry, Todoroki-san.»

«There are some wounded! We need to call the paramedics.» one of the sidekicks said, noting Native and Tenya's injuries.

«So, what happened here? And who is responsible for the clash in the square?»

Endeavor had asked the questions. His massive, muscular body, along with his harsh tone of voice, projected a presence and authority typical of those who do not want to hear excuses.

«Right.» Gran Torino confirmed, looking back at Izuku, eyes full of suspicion «Besides knowing when the hell you arrived, I'd also like to know what happened.»

«What happened, Endeavor-dono, Gran Torino-dono...» spoke Izuku, leaning Stain on the ground in front of him «is that we had an obstacle to eliminate.»

«Wait, isn't that the Hero Killer, Stain?» asked a hero woman whom Melissa recognised among those present in the square

«Yes. And if it hadn't been for them, I would surely have died by his hand now.» Native confirmed with a grateful expression.

«No. The credit goes only to Midoriya-san.» Tenya said gratefully «In the end, he is the one who defeated the Hero Killer.»

Endeavor had a critical, almost complex, reaction to the statement, as he had never seen Izuku's true fighting potential; only that he was very fast and had high reaction times.

Gran Torino, on the other hand, who had a light sparring match with him, knows full well that Izuku is much stronger than he shows. As a result, it was natural for him to nod and approve.

«Regardless of who gets the credit, the fact is that the Hero Killer is now in custody and I trust he will be handed over to the appropriate authorities.»

The hero girl who was in the square ran a shiver down her spine, hearing Izuku's neutral but decisive tone. Instinctively, mindful of the command skill the Custodian had previously displayed, she moved quickly, making sure Stain had the rope knots tight, before looking up at Izuku. The woman's face turned red.

«I'll make sure it's done.»

«I'm sure of it.» Izuku said, showing a slight smile of approval «While, as far as the square is concer-!!» Izuku broke off and immediately put on his helmet, activating the seals.

«?...?!!! Get down!» Gran Torino was a second slower to notice than Izuku

The third Nomu missing from the roll call, the one with the wings and mask, had dived towards the small group that had formed at such a speed that not even Endeavour had enough time to turn around. The Nomu was about to grab Melissa with its clawed paws. Or at least, presumably, that was the plan.

Izuku immediately came between Melissa and the Nomu, the latter already ready to grab its target by the arm with its claws. Instead, it was the Nomu that was seized by Izuku's armoured hand. With speed imperceptible to the human eye and a grip so firm that the Nomu's leg bones crumbled, the monster was thrown to the ground in front of Izuku, making a full bow. The results of the action were lethal, bloody and immediate.

In the eyes of the heroes, once again, it seemed that someone had cut the scene separating the Nomu's grip from its knowledge of the asphalt of the road. But even if they had managed to see it, the result did not change: a fan of blood and entrails had been painted on the street, with fragments of tissue, bones, legs, eyes and grey matter scattered everywhere. The asphalt, however, had cracked and a slight crater had also formed. But, once again, what really frightened those present was Izuku's lack of hesitation in the act of unscrupulous killing. That disciplined ferocity typical of the Custodes.

« Animal exsecrable. (Abominable creature)»

Izuku's statement in High Gothic was full of disdain, as was the act of throwing the leg still "whole" in his hand to the side. When he turned around, everyone present noticed that new drops of fresh blood had settled on the golden armour.

«That was the last one, and the result of the clash in the square between me and the black-skinned one is no different. Now, I think it's best to move somewhere else.» he stated by moving.

Until he made that "suggestion," none of those present had dared to move or even breathe; and how could they not? Whether voluntary or involuntary, Izuku's bloodlust and murderous aura was such that not only did it oppress the senses of those present, but it seemed to have taken the form of a huge, majestic roaring lion, thus giving a sense of security, provided they did not move.

«Uh!» Gran Torino woke up from the trance «Where are you going now?»

«I forgot something in the alley. I'll join you later.»

No one dared to investigate further, but when Gran Torino looked at those present, he noticed that many of them were paralysed, including a couple who had directly fainted, due to Izuku's bloodlust.

But above all, he noticed that Endeavor's face, filled with shock and terror, had changed into a mad and ferocious smile. The smile of a hunter who thinks he has found a prey worth hunting and worth dying for in the attempt.

*****

Izuku moved silently through the dark alleys, filled with the smell of mould and sewer. The auspex installed in his helmet was guiding him to a specific point. It had shown him an immobile presence, continually passed by others, and every time, that little dot seemed to make light movements, almost as if it had relaxed.

It shouldn't be his business, but his instincts tell him that if he ignores it now, he will regret it later.

His steps stopped in front of an old garbage dumpster, whose peeling colour had given way to rust, lending it a new orange tone. The Machine Spirit of "Aegis of Fortitude" confirmed to him the data provided by the auspex. The small immobile presence was hidden behind or under this dumpster, filled to the brim with garbage.

In a sharp motion, he planted his spear on the ground. He took a few steps, crouched down, and, after taking a deep breath, began lifting the dumpster, which probably weighed a ton, with extreme ease, almost as if he were lifting a box full of shoes. It took him a few seconds to lift it above his head, exhaling completely.

Hm? What the...

Among the garbage bags that fell behind the bins, Izuku saw a girl of perhaps 6 years old, clearly malnourished, in a fetal position. She wore a simple short-sleeved dress, similar to a hospital gown, but a dirty light brown, and bandages wrapped around both her arms and legs, stopping at her wrists and ankles. Her hair, messy and unkempt, has a cool white tone, to the point of appearing bluish, and reaches almost to her waist. A small brown horn appears from the right side of her forehead. Her wide eyes accommodate bright red, blood-like pupils.

Those eyes were wide open and looking at him in fear, almost as if Izuku was a monster who had come to eat her, and her body trembling with fear only confirmed that impression.

Izuku threw the dumpster to the side, generating a loud sound, but his eyes had never moved from the little girl, who had stiffened, shaking even more. In a slow, efficient movement practised for centuries, he leaned on one knee, never looking away from the little girl.

«Hey, everything's fine now.» he reassured her by slowly extending his hand.

The trembling little girl became even more frightened and retreated, moving away from his outstretched hand.

This is not the first time Izuku has met or spoken to frightened or abused children. Even in the slums of Terra's hive cities, it was not uncommon to encounter orphans or children pushed to such an extent that, to survive, they had already learned to steal or even kill. Children who, at best, had never known the love of a family, or, at worst, what it means to have a regular meal.

In carrying out his duties, Izuku had observed, seen and spoken to many other children like the one in front of him. Each time he had to harden his heart and silence his conscience, because he knew he could not help them. But unlike those he had met in the past, perhaps it could help this little girl.

Understanding that desperate and frightened movement, born of the fear of being taken to some horrible place, Izuku withdrew his hand. The seals of his helmet snorted, and he took it off, showing his face, with an expression as sweetened and reassuring as possible. He put his hand on his heart and spoke.

«My name is Izuku Midoriya.» he introduced himself «What's your name?»

The little girl watched him. Her eyes kept shifting between the hand he had held out to her and Izuku's kind, sincere eyes. Her lips moved; it seemed like a sigh, but Izuku had clearly heard the little girl's name. However, he smiled and pretended not to have heard. He smiled, waiting for the little girl to gain the courage to say her name again.

«E-Eri.» she spoke, her tone insecure and hoarse.

«Eri, huh?» he asked without moving «You have a nice name.»

The resulting silence lasted for a few seconds. A silence desired by Izuku, so that the little girl would not feel assailed by a possible conversation

«Did you get lost?»

Eri nodded, despite the insecure, slow movements born of fear.

«Do you want to go home?»

This time, Eri's body froze for a moment and shook her head violently, as if nightmares had come back to her.

Poor little girl...

«I understand.» Izuku said kindly.

«Y-you...» Eri began, scared «d-don't you want to bring me b-back?»

«Do you want to go back?» albeit in a gentle tone and despite not knowing what the little girl meant by "back," Eri shook her head again «Then, we won't go back. Allow me to help you.»

Izuku again handed his armoured hand to the little girl and waited. Initially, Eri was clearly against taking his hand. Izuku was patient, waited, and after a while, Eri began to approach. Izuku did not expect any trust, nor did he ask for it. He just wanted her to grab his hand, to ask him for help herself.

«W-will you hurt me?»

«No.» Izuku replied kindly without looking away.

«C-can you help me?»

«I will do everything I can to help you.»

«W-will you take me away, f-from here?»

«I'll take you away from this nightmare. I'll help you wake up from it.»

Eventually, though trembling, frightened and hesitant, Eri took Izuku's hand. Not only that. As soon as Eri took Izuku's hand, she started crying. A cry of relief, tears meant to show how desperately she was waiting for someone to help her out of the nightmare she was in.

Extremely delicately, Izuku took the little girl, who could practically sit in the palm of his hand, and wrapped her in a hem of his purple cloak, while the little girl's tears continued to fall like a raging river.

He took back his spear, and Izuku walked towards the main street, holding the little Eri, who, increasingly weak from tears and enveloped by the warmth not only of her cloak but also of Izuku's presence, began to relax and fall asleep as tiredness had made its way through her.

«W-what are you?» she asked before leaving for the dreamland.

«I am a Custodian, Shield-Captain of the Aquilian Shield.» he stated softly «Rest, little Eri; you are now under the protection of a Guardian of the Golden Throne.»